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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

You've probably heard of the controversy around the replacement of Taylor Lautner by Michael Copon as Jacob Black in the movie New Moon. The change could have make sense: Jocob should be much taller and stronger in New Moon, where his role is getting much more important as a werewolf. But well, most fans were quite upset by the move.

And Taylor Lautner has been working hard to get more muscles and fit the job.

So Summit Entertainment is finally switching back to Taylor Lautner in the role of Jacob Black the werewolf who is Bella's best friend.

Below some words from Director Chris Weitz:

"[...] I’m very happy to announce that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob Black in New Moon and that he’s doing so with the enthusiastic support of Summit Entertainment, the producers, and Stephenie Meyer.

The characters in Stephenie’s books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series. But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part. I think that fans of Twilight the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in New Moon; and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film.[...]"

Chris Weitz, Director of the movie New Moon

And also from Stephenie Meyer who is confirming the announcement:

"I’d just like to add that I was very much a part of this decision. My first priority was always what was best for New Moon—what was going to give us the best possible movie. I’m truly thrilled that Taylor was the one who proved to the director, to Summit, and to me that he is the best possible Jacob we could have. And I’m very much looking forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to Jacob’s character this year."

Stephenie Meyer

Twilight fans, it is clear that Taylor Lautner owe you a lot! If he is still in the movie New Moon, it is not thanks to Chris Weitz or Stephenie Meyer (I doubt they really give a dam of the young boy). It's really to you all great fans of the Twilight saga.

Are you happy that Taylor Lautner is confirmed in his role as Jacob? Why? Tell us!:)

well, i prefer taylor lautner to be the jacob black than any males actor.Is because taylor lautner is fit to the new moon movie like the twilight movie. and people used to know taylor lautner as a jacob black in the movie twilight. if you replace taylor, i think the whole story in the movie will change i mean the people sees the movie will became awkward. its better that dont replace taylor lautner as a jacob black.

hey, i'm SO glad that Taylors got the part. Because when I read the books which are amazing, i imagine taylor playing jacob! and when i heard he might not be getting the part i was like nooo and it would be kinda stupid if they changed the actor too, i think Taylor just suits the part, and i can't wait for New moon! I hope eclipse is gunna be in the cinemas too. :)

in a sequal, it's important to keep the characters in the movie the same. lautner IS Jacob. Not only is he good to look at but he is a very good actor. after reading all 4 books and then seeing the movie, I cannot see ANYONE ELSE PLAYING JACOB. Thank you so much for keeping Talor in the films. Diane, true fan

I love taylor and I am glad that he's still playing the role. But the thing is, Jacob grows significantly in the first half of the story, I doubt Taylor can grow 8 or 10 inches taller than what he is now. I'd say, cast BOTH Taylor and Steven (BUT NOT MICHAEL COLON!EWW!) Taylor can be Jacob pre-transformation and Steven can be Jacob post-transformation. If you saw Sky High, they don't look so different at all. Just have Steven tan a little bit, Taylor is darker.

okay. taylor would could and should without a doubt play jacob. he is hands down the most qualified person for the job. i mean he played jacob in the first one and some of my friends went and saw the movie strictly becuase of him. so im sure that if you changed the character you would lose quite a big margin of your audience. i know i probably sound just like every other 16 year old taylor lautner fan. but what is there not to love. he makes a perfect kung fu master in shadow fury .a wonderful sharkboy in sharkboy and lava girl.a extrodinary elliot murtough in cheaper by the dozen 2, an amazing son in my own worst enemy. if he is so truly perfect at every role he plays i have nothing but faith that he can be a perfect, wonderful, extrodinary, amazing, and other words that can't even discribe him. there is no word, no setence in any launguage anywhere in the world that could describe him and trust me i've tried he's to good for all of them. if he is to play jacob in new moon i dont think anyone could be disappointed. i say this as a twilight movie fan, a twilight saga fan( i've read every book atleast 12 times each and it never gets old), a taylor lautner fan, and a stephenie meyer fan. also why would you want to change something that was absolutley perfect, i mean i dont quite think that the movie did the book justice but how can you fit 500 pages of precise detail into and hour and a half movie. twilight has been my favorite movie since the first day it came out and no movie has topped it yet. i dont think any movie ever will. anyways as i was saying about perfect. the twilight movie is perfect, taylor is perfect for jacob black. its a perfect match. i am truly greatful that you kept him. i wouldnt want my hubby to be upset. his pain is my pain. lol. he is in love with me as much as i am in love with him he just doesnt know it yet but when he finally realizes were meant to be together i'll be here waiting. waiting for you. i love you taylor. i'm team edward but if there was a there was a team taylor i would no doubt me a loyal follower. i walk forever by my husbands side lol. thank you for reading this. taylor if you do read this i want you to know i love you and you love me and the sooner you figure that out the better but until then as edward said- take care of my heart i've left it with you -i hope you dont think im a stalker its really not like that at all promise. and for all the people that said steven strait is better looking than taylor is either blind, retarded or a lesbian. they're all just jealous because theyre boyfriend cant get they're abs to be as perfect and delicous as taylors. i've said this to everyone who thinks steven would make a better jacob than taylor and ill say it again. taylor is in, steven is out, theres nothing any of your comments can do about that. so stop talking about my taylor, shut up, and quit hating just because taylor is more beautiful than any boy you've ever seen. dont try and deny it. if he was less tan they should have cast him as edward because the way bella discribes him as a beautiful creature and has an angel face. and a face that any male model would trade their soul for fits my taylor perfect. i love you taylor unconditionally and irrevicobbaly. sincerley, mrs. sarada lautner(GO TEAM TAYLOR!)

I am a fan of the Twilight books as well as the movie and I believe that Taylor will step up to the plate. He has tremendous dedication to his craft and he brings the innocence to the character that carries through all four books...someone "more mature looking" may not be able to bring that quality foreward. The books rely on "Bella's Jacob" and "Bella's Smile" so much in the description that no one else could possibly be Jacob. The character is supposed to go through dramatic changes but his is still a teenager even if his body is 25. Taylor will be able to pull it off. I think that the book describes Jacob as "beautiful" not "Hot."

oh my god! I am so happy that Taylor Lautner is going to play Jacob. He is an amazing actor and he is so cute. =]. thank you everyone who made this possible. i am deffinetly going to love the movie now because i am totally inlove with the books (I've read them twice!). He is exactly who I pictured as Jacob! I can't wait to see New Moon and am looking forward to another great preformance by Taylor Lautner.

Taylor definately brings a sense of animalistic persuasion to the role of Black. Ex. The scene where Black leaves and portrays distain towards the couple concluding the prom was very realistic and there is much doubt as to whether a new actor could have portrayed quite the same feeling without leading the audience away from the character completely.

i went and saw the movie with out reading the books. i thought the movie was really good.so i went out and bought all the books.i am now on new moon for my 5th time.i see every one in the books as every one look like in the movie. my point is you cant just change a main person in the movie because new moon is all about bella not seeing him as a boy she sees him as a man. i think it will be hard for taylor to manage that huge change but it is posible. so go easy on the poor guy i am sure he will give it all he can!

I'm so glad taylor is still Jacob I don't think it would have been cool to change characters really.. that's what ruins sequels the fastest for me.. i think he has also proved himself to really want and working hard for it. he makes a great jacob. i also have read all the books now and have pictured taylor as jacob so if he was to change now it just wont be right. I'm glad i've seen a lot of the characters staying the same, it will be very very upsetting to see any of them change especially the cullen family or bella's.. so i hope all the books are made I'm excited to see if breaking dawn will be made into movies because it will have to be made into two if it is but it'll be well worth it, that book says it all... and i hope taylor will be in all he'd be great in the breaking dawn movie or movies. please keep taylor as jacob throughout..

Omj (oh my Jacob), I cried when I found out that Taylor might not have gotten the part. He was the perfect Jacob and I thought he should continue being the Jacob of my dreams. Thanks to us fans he will be able to continue his role as Jacob in the upcoming New Moon. Steven Strait? Is he that hideous guy from the Scorpion King 2? UGH!!! He is so not my vision of the Bella-obsessed Jacob that is in three of the four books! I respect him as an actor but he could never fill the Talor's shoes! The ideal Jacob has one definition: Taylor! Who could not love his gorgeous face?! THANK GOD STEVEN DIDN'T GET THE PART! Take it from someone who's read the whole book series fifteen time, Taylor is and always will be the perfect Taylor. Thank you all you Taylor fans who signed the petition that was sent to Summit Entertain petitioning Taylor staying on a Jacob for New Moon! Love you Taylor!

I love the fact and the idea of taylor lautner being jacob black....even with him working to be more physically fit his emotional level would fit the part more than perfectly........while reading the books I imagine that jacob black looks exactly like taylor...I would say as the movie progresses that you could switch taylor ou for steven strait but I believe that it would be to much of a change... SO TAYLOR LAUTNER SHOULD PLAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE MOVIES..

Omg im so happy that taylor launter is still playing jacob.Meeting him showed me who the real jacob black was. He is the best and the only one who can play off jacob black. (: I love taylor a.k.a jacob! Taylor is hotter then Steven Strait. he is the most qualified person for the job. When i saw he played jacob black i made sure to go see the movie becuase of him. He is a true jacob black working out and trying super hardd to stay in his role. I read all books and I only see him as jacob :) Changing him would make ever movie after a failer!...

I am glad that Taylor Lautner gets to play Jacob as i have read the books and even though Jacob is a big character to live up 2 i think if anyone can live up to him its Taylor. Plus he was in the first twilght movie and it would be ashame to replace him as he's already fitted into the role so well and we already know him as the character. So im glad they they decided to keep him as Jacob. But Edward Cullen known as Robert Pattinson is still ma favourite. He is an amazin actor and very hot guy. x

Actually one thing I look forward for newmoon.. Is that taylor lautner would soon be replaced by steven strait.. but oh, i'm very much disappointed with this decision.. Actually one factor that i didn't like about twilight movie is that jacob black was played by Taylor Lautner.. Look, i don't have anything against this guy but i think there are other actors that would be deserving for that role.. and Steven Strait is one.. It seemed that my excitement for newmoon just faded away..=(

I can't even believe that they wanted to replace the hot and sexy Taylor Lautner with Steven Strait. I mean don't get me wrong, Steven Strait is a hottie, but I've grown attached to Lautner and his long, black, sexy hair in Twilight. So Taylor Lautner, you've got my vote! Love It :D

I just started reading the series after watching the movie Twilight. I believe Taylor Lautner is the best actor for Jacob Black. I just started reading New Moon and I can't see anyone else but Taylor in this role. I think changing characters at this point would destroy the integrity of the movie. It would be like changing Harry Potter after the first movie.

Taylor Lautner is perfect for the role of Jacob Black because he is the one that best fits the role because after you have read the books and seen the movie then you will see that he is like your really looking at Jacob like he is a real person just like the rest of the cast who should also not be changed

i think taylor lautner was the best idea to play jacob black because he was the one in twilight playing as jacob.. you have to play the original actor.. it wouldn't have been right to switch him.. well hope he plays the role right.. and hopefully new moon comes out better..

Steven Strait was not in the Scorpion 2 that was michael coron who was another possibility for the role. Steven Strait was in The Covenant and looks similar to Lautner, just older. He would definately be good for the role.

I DON'T think that it's the "intimidating, mature look" that jacob needs - everyone, he IS a werewolf, but NOT edward!Edward is more the strong, silent, imidating type - intense and careful - jacob's much more jokey and easy-going and confident (I know he's kind of depressing in some of the other books though) but i still think that Taylor's the best Jacob on earth. His "un mature, young face etc" is absotutally fine! And he's got the loveliest smile jacob could ever do. Sorry for cheesyness, but he really has. Taylor (sorry i can't remember your first name!) if your reading this; NO ONE CAN EVER REPLACE YOU, NOT A SINGLE OTHER BOY IN THE WORLD IS AS GOOD AS YOU ARE AT BEING JACOB! I would add more exclamation marks but the comment rule thing says i can't. So just imagine them. Millions more of them. Can't wait to see you in rest of movies!

I do not care who is better looking when it comes to casting actors. Hollywood should stay true to the role. If Jacob's ethnicity is Native American (I always hated this reference) than the actor cast should at least be "Native American." As an aboriginal woman, I am usually appalled by the actors Hollywood casts as "indians." There are hundreds of attractive talented aboriginal actors who just seem to be overlooked. I love the Twilight Saga and I absolutely enjoyed Twilight the movie but if they decide to cast someone other than Taylor Lautner as Jacob, especially someone who very obviously is not "Native American," I will not be watching the next installments of the Twilight Saga.

I think you all made the right choice.If you changed Jacob it would have destroyed the whole series for me and our family.We do hope you do right by the wolfs and keep them true to their legends and not updated horror looking.My 26 year old took me to see Twilight for my birthday this past Nov. and I'm hooked.I've read the whole series twice and seen the movie 16 times. I'm looking forward to seeing New Moon. m13

I prefer Taylor, it would be weird having two different actors. I can't stand it when movies switch actors in a specific role. That makes it harder to focus on the story. I get more caught up with "well why did they switch the actor?" Then I can't concentrate on the film as much. Plus, Taylor is incredibly good looking. So many fans are obsessed with Edward, who is also incredibly good looking, but so is Taylor. IN addition, Taylor never does Bella wrong. He is sweet and devoted to her. I appreciate his character and I love what happens with him in the final book of the series. Keep Taylor! He's great!

I have not seen the movie Twilight yet, but I have read and thoroughly enjoyed all of the books. I have seen the photos & clips of Taylor and he fit the small part and character of the first book. The changes in his character in the other books was emphasized to the point that I do not think the Jacob from the first movie should be played by the same person, unless he has had a major growth spurt and become almost as sexy as Edward. I apologize to all the teenaged admirers out there, but are these movies supposed to be merely a "teen fad" or follow the story as seen through the eyes of all ages? New Moon would have been the only opportunity to change the character in my opinion as a writer. Hopefully, Tayor can pull this off with the help of special effects to appease the teen followers, without turning off the adult audience.

When I read the books...I had different images of the characters in my head than was portrayed in the movie. That being said, I enjoyed the movie and now have those character images in my head as the expectation for future movies. I really don't like when sequels change the actors portraying the characters. I understand it has to happen if the actor is no longer interested in the role; however, if Taylor Lautner wants the role...then it should be his. After all, the saga is a 4 part series and the people casting the roles in Twilight should have taken into consideration that if it was a hit there could be 3 more movies to produce! Amazing things can be done in the movie industry to change Taylor's appearance to make him seem taller, more muscular, etc. Oh and by the way...I'm not a teenage fan...I'm a happily married mother of two in my 30's who loves the Twilight saga!

i think it's great that they kept taylor as jacob. the boy can act. besides that it's only right. you can't give the boy such a career making role then rip it out from under him cause you don't think he's tall enough. hell, that's what computers are for. look at the awesome work they did making hobbits look small in lord of the rings.The movies would not have been the same without taylor in them. i'm sure he will do an excellent job.

please dont change the actor of edward he is the best best best person to play this role please dont do thid to us fans i promise you will lose your fans if you change him cause thats all we talk about!!

Taylor all the way baby ! Umm he's hot! Why would you change him anyways ? i mean everyone already see's him as Jacob Black , you can't just change him it would through the whole movie off and i'm pretty sure no one would like it if you changed him , i wouldn't see the movie i knw that ! I love you Taylor ! and You would be a complete idoit if you got read him . He is everything Jacob Black should be , and so what if he a bit short . He's perfect and more . I mean who won't fall in love with a werewolf as hot as Taylor i mean come on ! he's the best by far ! i love you Taylor!

Taylor should be given the chance to prove he can do this, i think he can and i'd have been upset if he'd been changed. im a edward fan a little bit more then jacob BUT taylor lautner to stay as jacob!!im glad nothing is changing.

I extremly agree to everyone that said Steven Strait would be a good Jacob. My friends and I have always said he would be great long before we knew there would be a movie, but on the other hand i really do think Taylor is the next best thing.

I am happy that the original actors/actresses are going to be used in the movie. It wouldn't be the same if the actors were going to change. I love Twilight and I truly hope that the actors remain the same throughout all sequels. It would be truly disappointing if you replaced any of the actors. Thank you for an awesome movie!

Ofourse, Taylor Lautner is the one whom should play the role in "New Moon". Because it wouldn't look good nor proffesional to be changing characters within the continuation of this new movie. So it's awesome that Taylor Lautner will still be Jacob Black always, hopefully... Therefore the Twilight Saga will be perfect as it is.

Taylor must act as Jacob Black.He is perfect for the job, let me tell ya. You see, some of my friends love to read the book but hate Jacob, yet they watch the movie for Taylor Lautner!! Though, I like Jacob Black in the book and the movie because he's funny! And besides, when I read the book what I imagine Jacob Black to be looks so much like Taylor, so freaky!

YES absolutely Taylor Lautner should be casted as the part for Jacob Black in New Moon. It would be odd, and confusing to change the actor now, also Taylor Lautner's personality fits well in this positition! I will not be watching New Moon if Taylor is replaced.

Taylor Launter has to play this part it belongs to him. I see that this part is going to open new door for him as an actor. As long as he watches what he is doing and the parts he takes , the twilight saga is going to make him very famous. he has to play in all the saga movies though

its a good decision that Taylor Lautner will still play as Jacob black, New Moon will never be the same if others will portray the role rather than him...give the guy a break and prove his worth...Besides, everybody loves him...GO Taylor, do your thing and prove them wrong...

I'm glad that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob, i think in a case where he would've been replaced by another actor, the movie would've lost some of its value in the essence of trying too hard? In any way though, very happy, pleased fan, totally love all the original cast members of Twilight, i definitely would've been disappointed if Taylor was going to be taken off the project, i mean how could you not use him? He's just so beautiful!

Oh my gosh. At first when i was watcher trailers of new moon and Jacob Black wasnt Taylor lautner i almost died. I was so upset. Now that i know Taylot is definetly playiong Jacob im whicked excited too see the movie more than i was.

I think the other actors that were considered for the role of Jacob were TOO sexy. (yes, I'm ducking!) No, seriously. In the book, Taylor was good looking, but not drop dead gorgeous like Edward. He doesn't need to be so "pretty" that he distracts from the Edward/Bella storyline, which is the main subject of the entire saga. I think Taylor did a good job of playing Jacob in the Twilight, and though there were doubts about his fit for New Moon, etc., I think Taylor can pull it off. He's a good actor - we should give him a chance. I think he'll do us all proud.

Steven Strait is very good looking and I'm sure would do a fine job in the role...BUT Taylor Lautner IS Jacob!(And very good looking as well) From the first time that we see him in Twilight he becomes Jacob so perfectly that we don't have to force him into the role...as I think would happen if Steven Strait would sudden be in the role of Jacob. It would be such a disappointment. I have actually been looking forward to seeing how Taylor would be able, as an actor and person, change with Jacob in New Moon. I know that Taylor is the type of actor that can take on this challenging role. I believe that he will do Jacob the justice that we all are looking forward to. With the passion, excitement and love for Bella that we all can't wait to see.

I think that Steven Strait would have been perfect as well. Taylor is ok, but there is just something about Steven Strait... he is closer to what I pictured when reading the story. I am sure Taylor will do a good job though, since he wants the role so bad you can tell he will give alot to the role.

Hey, I am so happy that Taylor is coming back. Because I have read all the Twilight Books Saga and I loved them so much that once they appeared on scene it was wonderful, and as your reading the books Jacob Black starts out as this kid. This kid that changes only emotionally and physically but he is still Jacob in the readers mind. Same for a movie if you change Jacob Black you've just changed the movie to "thats the guy that played in Scorpion King II and that movie sucked, "where did the extra Alpha come from." Taylor Lautner is Jacob Black. I would never stop loving the books and I know I want stop loving the movies if.... It's just great to see the same people return for next event. Change is good, if your a terrible James Bond thats getting too old for the fight scenes. But Taylor Lautner was and is great!!!

it would mess up everybody's vision of jacob like when people read the books they see taylor as jacob that is what i look at when i read the book.i think he is the best jacob to fit the part and if that changes everything changes and jacob will be a big part of the next movie new moon and throughout the entire twilight series so if itge the division changes so i think that they should stick with taylor lautner i love edward/robert alot more than jacob but really i would be very mad if they try to change him because while edward is gone we need another sexy,hot,delicious,12 pack,buff,gorgeous angel which is where taylor jumps in so for the portion of the movie we need to be entertained some way,and just looking at taylor it makes it,well until edward comes back but until then it would suck and if they try to take taylor out,most of the movie is jacob so alot of people would be disapointed if they dont see taylor the "pfect one"for the role and they wouldnt pay attention to the movie which would be bad beacause then they could lose alot of twilight fans and maybe some people wouldnt even want to go see the third movie so they are saving themselves throughout the process too. im very happy that they decided to keep taylor for the part of jacob and now it is all up to chris weitz to make the twilight saga the best romantic,entertaining,action involved movie YET!:-}

I am very glad that Taylor Lautner is playing Jacob again in New Moon. I saw Twilight before I read the books, so whenever I pictured Jacob (while reading the books), I pictured him as Taylor. It not seem like Jacob, to me, if someone else played him in the new movie. I think that the director and everyone involved in the making of New Moon made the right choice to keep Taylor as Jacob.

I'm very pleased that Taylor will play Jacob. But I'm a little frustrated at the rushed filming of the movie. I may be wrong: starting in March...out by November? I would hope they would shoot the beginning of the movie with a smaller Jacob, then give Taylor time to "beef up". So he actually looks different in later scenes (like the book). I'm also hoping special effects aren't rushed either. I know there was a lot of negative feed back about Twilight. I understand there is a new director, but I hope the wolves don't look like the daemons in The Golden Compass. Please don't do that! I will still love the movie either way, but I'll admit I have high expectations.

Ok this is not right. Why is Taylor playing Jacob in New Moon. Read the book. He is supposd to look down at bella and be huge he is a puny little boy. And I would like to know how he got this sudden fame after being in Twilight for what 5 minutes and then he accepted an award at a ceramony when he was not even a main character in the movie. Rosalie was in it more then him like seriously that is so dumb. Those producers need to rethink that decision.

Taylor plays Jacob has a boy full of joy, simple and cool. Don't forget that he will have the power to bring Bella out of the darkness.He has prove to have that personality. He is Very cool and charismatic.Ana

oh my god how could anybody say that steven strait is better looking than taylor lautner! hello! taylor is way more hotter that steven strait! you can totally tell. they dont even look alike at all! gosh u people r soo wrong about steven strait being hotter than jacob.Common!

yep, I agree 120% with those that support Taylor to continue to be Jacob. I would have been extremely disappointed if he was replaced since, as many of the fans said, the change would have been very ackward. Besides, all he needs - which he is doing - is to physically change to better rep the new Jacob in New Moon. Im too old to be looking at these kids as men, but i love this type of stories so Im looking fw to it.

Taylor has the very immense personality that fit into Jacob's role, i think he carried the role well in Twilight. New moon will see the different side of him projected and i think he is hot with the new look and seductive body shape!

I love the twilight series and think Bella and Edward were cast perfectly. I am deeply concerned with the fact that Taylor Lautner has no First Nations background. I was shocked when I saw the first image of him, shocked at how blatantly white he is. I have no first nations background I just can’t understand the injustice? Why choose someone with German, Swedish, French background? When finally there is this perfect chance to embrace the beauty of first nation’s culture. I did read that the rest of the wolf pack had to prove their first nations background, but why not the lead role? Why was there not a first nations person helping in the casting of the main role?

I have to say first of all that I love love love Taylor as Jacob! He is nothing short of perfect for the part! but it also has be said that Steven Strait is not only less attractive, but he just looks unreasonably too old to play the part. Jacob is a teenager and Steven just doesnt pass for one. Besides that, Taylor is just so much more lovable! He has the perfect smile, exactly as I imagined it in the books!

I'm so extremely happy that Taylor has his role playing Jacob!!! He's got everything to play him! I was upset when he almost got fired from the set because he wasn't at the level he was supposed to be at. But he is now!! And I'm happy! I would've cried if he got fired! Taylor Lautner is the best actor for playing Jacob! He really is! I love him so much. If anyone says he's a puny little boy again, we're gonna have some problems!!! I'm dead serious on that one! We'll be beefin'! Which means fighting! HA! I'm with you Taylor! I love you!